If you traveled back to ancient times, while others ate Guanyin clay, you would actually have giant

Starting the next day, all the chefs practiced chopping vegetables and tossing woks every morning, and practicing stir-frying in the afternoons. This period was tough on everyone else. Adhering to the principle of not wasting food, Zhou Wu gave everyone extra meals, but the taste... well...

On the fifth day, although cooking skills and knife skills cannot be mastered overnight, everyone had learned quite well. The taste of the dishes was still somewhat different from Zhou Wu's requirements, but it was enough to meet the needs of the opening.

"Isn't this too hasty? If you're doing this for the sake of our bet, you don't have to. I'll just take your five hundred taels of silver."

When Gu Changqing heard Zhou Wu's decision, she looked worried. She thought Zhou Wu was worried about their bet. After spending the last few days together, Gu Changqing and Zhou Wu had become friends despite their initial conflict.

"Hey, what's wrong, you money-grubber? You almost moved me to tears."

"go."

"Don't worry, I never thought I'd lose five hundred taels to you. You'd better get ready to kowtow to me. By the way, from now on, just call me by my name or call me Old Zhou."

Zhou Wu also felt that Gu Changqing was not a bad person at heart. He had just lost himself in the bustling capital. This was evident from the fact that Gu Changqing was able to persuade him at this time. Therefore, Zhou Wu was willing to befriend him as an equal.

"Humph."

. . . . . .

The next day, Gu Xinyuan's three restaurants reopened, with drums and gongs resounding at the entrance, and lion dance performances attracting passersby to stop and watch.

"Gentlemen, our restaurant has undergone a complete upgrade today. All dishes have been updated and are guaranteed to be something you've never seen before, absolutely unique in the capital. To thank our new and old customers, for every meal you make today, our restaurant will give you a voucher equal to the amount you spend, which you can use as cash next time."

This is a typical customer-binding tactic used in later generations, only Zhou Wu is pushing it harder. However, what he lacks now isn't money, but popularity and reputation, which is why he's resorting to such drastic measures. Although you, Gu Changqing, don't understand these things, you are now completely obedient to Zhou Wu.

Sure enough, as soon as the gongs and drums stopped, people at the door began to rush inside.

The two women greeting guests at the entrance were graceful and charming. Unexpectedly, once inside, the waitresses were all young girls. Dining in such an environment was truly delightful.

"The waiter."

"What can I do for you, sir?"

In the past, if you called out "waiter," you would definitely be greeted by a man with a hoarse, raspy voice. Now, if you call out "waiter," you will hear soft, sweet voices that make your heart flutter, and the diners' attitudes have improved considerably.

"I've never seen any of these dishes on the menu before. Can you tell me about them?"

"Good guests, all the dishes on our menu are unique new items from our restaurant, mainly featuring potatoes and corn, these two new agricultural products. For the two of you, I suggest ordering one of our signature dishes, braised pork ribs with potatoes, shredded potatoes, and golden corn. Three dishes should be enough."

The staff had tried all the dishes on the menu, so they had no problem introducing them.

"Okay, I'll do as you say. Let's get started."

"Okay, please wait a moment, it will be right away."

Zhou Wu instructed the girls to recommend shredded potatoes when making recommendations. Besides shredded potatoes being a classic potato dish, another reason was that they were quick and easy to make, allowing the food to be served as fast as possible while the diners waited.

"This is shredded potato? I've never seen it before."

"Hey, who cares if he's seen it before or not, just take a bite first."

On almost every table, a plate of shredded potatoes was served first, so the scene in the restaurant was that everyone was eating around a plate of shredded potatoes.

"This, this is really delicious."

"Yes, it has a taste I've never had before."

"Soft, fluffy, and chewy, it's perfect for the elderly and children."

Soon the second dish, braised pork ribs with potatoes, was served.

"Guest, this is braised pork ribs with potatoes."

"This smells amazing! Is this lamb chop?"

The flavor of braised pork ribs with potatoes has redefined diners' perception of meat. It turns out that besides boiling and grilling, meat can be eaten in this way, making it more flavorful than boiled and more tender than grilled.

"Guest, this is pork chop."

"Impossible, I've eaten pork before, pork can't possibly smell this good."

"Guest, pork does have a strong flavor, but we have a secret recipe that allows us to make such delicious pork."

The waiter didn't explain further, and the diners didn't care; they just wanted to know it was a secret recipe.

Unsurprisingly, all three restaurants were packed with people. Many diners who couldn't get a seat right away had to wait at the entrance. However, Zhou Wu specially arranged for a simple pavilion to be built and some tea to be prepared for the waiting diners. This gesture immediately won praise from the diners.

"Guests, I apologize for the poor service. These are our specialty potato chips. Please enjoy them for free."

Zhou Wu went to great lengths to promote potatoes and corn, hoping to make them famous in the shortest possible time.

"This stuff is fragrant, crispy, and really delicious."

"Oh, these flavors are different."

Zhou Wu created several flavor combinations based on the available seasonings, since everyone's tastes are different, and this way he could try to make more people like it.

"Isn't this too exaggerated?"

Gu Changqing was overjoyed to see the restaurant packed with people inside and out. He had never seen anything like it in all his years managing the establishment; it seemed Zhou Wu really had some skills.

At this moment, Gu Changqing also made up his mind to learn from Zhou Wu. If he could run the restaurant well, it would be a way to repay Gu Xinyuan for his help back then.

The restaurant didn't close until almost curfew; it was just too popular.

The cook and waiter had already finished packing up and gone home, but Gu Changqing was still holding the money box, counting today's earnings.

"We're rich! We're rich! Old Zhou, do you know how much we made today?"

Zhou Wu didn't care about these things at all, so he remained calm in the face of the agitated Gu Changqing.

"It's not important. Get some rest. I'll be staying in the capital for a few more days. I'll teach you properly during these days. After that, the restaurant will be up to you."

"Don't worry, I learn everything quickly."

Gu Changqing was still wondering how to bring up the topic with Zhou Wu when she visited him, but unexpectedly, Zhou Wu offered to teach her that evening, which touched Gu Changqing a little.

That evening, the news of what happened at the restaurant also reached Gu Xinyuan's ears.

"I didn't expect business to be so booming on the first day. Zhou Wu is indeed suited to be a military general, but even more suited to be a businessman, haha."

With the restaurant doing well, Gu Xinyuan was in a great mood, as it not only helped the Crown Prince but also increased his family's income. He even hummed a little tune to himself.